James Daniels Bio
James Daniels is an American professional football guard currently in the National Football League (NFL). He is recognized for his versatility across the interior offensive line, having started games at both guard and center during his NFL career. Daniels has built his reputation through steady development with the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers before continuing with the Miami Dolphins.
A former second-round pick, Daniels first made his mark in college football with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he earned conference recognition as one of the top interior linemen in the Big Ten. He has been a consistent starter throughout his professional career, appearing in 91 games with 85 starts through his time in the league.
Early Life and Background
James Daniels was born on September 13, 1997, in Warren, Ohio, in the United States. He grew up in the same community that would later help shape his athletic identity, attending Harding High School in Warren. At Harding, Daniels was a three-year starter on the varsity football team, demonstrating the consistency and toughness that would become hallmarks of his playing style.
In addition to football, Daniels also competed in track during his high school years, an experience that helped develop his footwork and conditioning. His performance drew the attention of several top college programs, including Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State. In July 2014, he committed to play football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, choosing Iowa over those other prominent suitors.
Daniels is the younger brother of LeShun Daniels, a running back who was his teammate at Iowa. LeShun Daniels later signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017, giving the Daniels family a presence at both the collegiate and professional levels of football.
Path to American Football
James Daniels entered the college football ranks with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2015, joining a program with a long tradition of developing NFL-caliber offensive linemen. He played center at Iowa from 2015 through 2017, appearing in 37 games over three seasons for the Hawkeyes.
His development at Iowa was steady and productive, and in 2016 he was named Third-team All-Big Ten, an early signal of his professional potential. After his junior season in 2017, Daniels elected to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declared for the 2018 NFL draft, where he was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Chicago Bears.
James Daniels Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Daniels began his professional career with the Chicago Bears after being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. During his rookie season, he was gradually integrated into the offensive line, splitting time with veteran Eric Kush at left guard. On October 28, 2018, he became the full-time starter at left guard against the New York Jets after Kush suffered a neck injury. Daniels went on to start 10 games as a rookie, with nine starts at left guard and one at right guard.
Before the 2019 season, the Bears moved Daniels to center, shifting incumbent Cody Whitehair to left guard. He held that role until November, when offensive struggles and an injury to right guard Kyle Long led the team to move Daniels back to left guard. In the fifth game of the 2020 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Daniels suffered a season-ending pectoral muscle tear and was placed on injured reserve on October 14, 2020. His time with the Bears concluded following the 2021 season.
Chicago Bears Era (2018–2021)
Daniels spent his first four NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears, the franchise that drafted him. He started 10 games as a rookie in 2018 and was viewed as a long-term building block on the interior offensive line. The Bears’ decision to experiment with him at center in 2019 reflected their confidence in his football intelligence and technical skill set.
Although his 2020 season was cut short by injury, Daniels had already established himself as a reliable starter by the time his Bears tenure ended. His combination of experience at multiple positions along the interior line made him an attractive option in free agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022–2024)
On March 17, 2022, James Daniels signed a three-year, $26.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning the second chapter of his NFL career. In Pittsburgh, he served as a starting guard and brought versatility to the offensive line.
On August 9, 2024, Daniels became the first player to wear a Guardian Cap in any organized professional game, doing so during a preseason contest against the Houston Texans. He suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 of the 2024 season and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 1, 2024. His time in Pittsburgh concluded at the end of the 2024 season.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, James Daniels signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. He was named the team’s starting right guard for Week 1 of the 2025 season. During that opening game, Daniels suffered a pectoral injury and was placed on injured reserve on September 9, 2025. He was released by the Dolphins on February 16, 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Daniels’ career came on August 9, 2024, when he became the first player to wear a Guardian Cap in any organized professional game during a preseason matchup with the Houston Texans. Across his career, he has also accumulated 91 games played and 85 games started, reflecting his durability and the trust placed in him by multiple coaching staffs.
James Daniels Career Wins
As an interior offensive lineman, James Daniels’ statistical profile is measured primarily by games played and started rather than by wins. He has appeared in 91 NFL games with 85 starts, and he has been a contributor on teams that have competed in playoff races during multiple seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Daniels earned Third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2016 during his time at Iowa, an early-career recognition of his play at the collegiate level. His professional trajectory, including a second-round draft selection, multi-year starting roles, and significant free-agent contracts, reflects the consistent performance he has delivered at the NFL level.
James Daniels Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
James Daniels comes from an athletic family rooted in Warren, Ohio. His older brother, LeShun Daniels, played running back at Iowa and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017, giving the family a presence at both the collegiate and professional levels of football.
Personal Life
James Daniels was raised in Warren, Ohio, where he attended Harding High School and developed into a top college recruit. He maintains an active presence off the field and is represented in the public sphere through his professional career and his connection to the communities that shaped him.
2025 Season Performance
James Daniels entered the 2025 season as the Miami Dolphins’ starting right guard after signing a three-year, $24 million contract in March 2025. He was named the Week 1 starter, signaling the Dolphins’ intent to feature him prominently along the interior offensive line.
His 2025 campaign was disrupted early when he suffered a pectoral injury during the season opener and was placed on injured reserve on September 9, 2025. The injury cut short what was expected to be a full season of contribution to the Dolphins’ offensive line.
Daniels was released by the Miami Dolphins on February 16, 2026, bringing his time in Miami to a close. As he moves forward from the 2025 season, his career totals of 91 games played and 85 games started underscore the veteran presence he continues to bring to any offensive line room he joins next.
